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In the heady rush to reach Kenya’s game-filled plains and luxurious safari lodges, capital Nairobi is often seen as little more than a transit hub — but that’s a mistake.
Here, big game roams against a backdrop of skyscrapers, elegant hotels from the colonial era rub shoulders with trendy new places to stay, and the emergence of cutting edge designers has given rise to some of the best shopping in Africa. Nairobi is a city of intriguing contrasts and deserves a stay of at least two or three days.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Nairobi on a first visit.
1. Walk with elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is heralded around the world for its work in elephant conservation. The trust rescues orphaned elephants, rehabilitates them and releases them back into the wild. Some of the orphans are so small they need blankets to keep them warm and 24-hour care from keepers. The centre is open to visitors for one hour per day (entry fee applies), while an annual adoption fee of $50USD entitles foster parents to visit the nursery at 5pm (by appointment) to see the orphans bedded down for the night and to chat to their keepers.
2. Check in to Giraffe Manor
Located a few kilometres southwest of central Nairobi, Giraffe Manor tells the wonderfully eccentric story of Scottish earl Jock Leslie-Melville and his wife Betty, who began raising one of the last remaining Rothschild’s giraffes in Kenya at this historic property in the 1970s. Now a luxury boutique hotel set in stunning grounds where increased numbers of the giraffe roam freely, Giraffe Manor is perhaps the only place in the world where you can share your breakfast with these elegant creatures.
3. Pucker up with a Rothschild’s giraffe
The Giraffe Centre sits within Giraffe Manor and provides day visitors with the opportunity to observe, hand-feed and even pucker up to the Rothschild’s giraffe. There’s an education centre for those interested in learning more about giraffe conservation, while the self-guided forest walk through the adjacent Gogo River Bird Sanctuary is a must-do.
4. Take a drive on the wild side in Nairobi National Park
Few capital cities can boast big game wandering freely less than 30 minutes drive from the CBD. Nairobi National Park is home to more than a hundred species, including buffalo, lion, leopard, zebra, and cheetah, and provides the surreal sight of wildlife roaming against a backdrop of skyscrapers. You can self-drive through the park but joining a qualified guide on a game drive offers a much more relaxed experience. For a real taste of the city’s wild side, stay at The Emakoko — a luxurious boutique safari lodge located on the edge of the park.
5. Do a day trip to Amboseli National Park
If you’re short on time but keen to see another of Kenya’s incomparable wild spaces, then a day tour to Amboseli National Park is the answer. The park lies three hours’ drive south of the city and is home to all members of the Big Five — lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, and elephants. The latter can often be seen grazing in the shadow of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro — a truly wondrous sight!
6. See a community project in action with One Horizon
Looking for a worthwhile social cause to support with your holiday dollar? One Horizon is a not-for-profit organisation that offers visitors to Kenya the chance to see small-scale humanitarian programmes in action. Projects include schools, micro-farms, women’s shelters and support centres for the elderly. The fee you pay for your single-day or multi-day excursion is channeled back into these programmes, and you’ll never be asked for an additional donation.
7. Dine at The Talisman
The Talisman Restaurant is a Nairobi institution and one of the city’s best eateries; try it at least once during your stay. Guests can sit outside on the terrace on a warm summer day and enjoy the garden in full bloom, or curl up by the roaring fire in winter with a hearty South African red. The menu features European dishes and contemporary African cuisine.
8. Visit the Karen Blixen Museum
The hallowed hallways of Danish author Karen Blixen’s former home, now a museum, are imbued with her pioneering spirit — and you can almost feel the writer’s presence. Whether you’re an Out of Africa fan or not, the house is an intriguing remnant of colonial Africa and is well worth visiting. Guided tours (included in the entry fee) are offered throughout the day and will deepen your appreciation of Blixen’s story.
Be sure to leave enough time to wander through the gardens at your own pace, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying that famous view of the Ngong Hills.
9. Shop ’til you drop
The shopping in Nairobi is fun and fabulous, so get amongst it! Langata Link is the place to pick up stylish homewares and tasteful souvenirs at a range of price points. You’ll find more souvenirs at Utamaduni Craft Centre, which offers a variety of domestic and imported products. House of Treasures Emporium sells designer furnishings, leatherwear, jewellery, and clothing, while Matbronze offers beautiful cast bronze sculptures — everything from small suitcase-friendly options, to full-size garden installations. If you’re in the market for colourful and creative bling, make a bee-line for Kazuri Beads.
10. Step back in time at The Norfolk Hotel
Opened in 1904 and now managed by Fairmont Hotels, The Norfolk Hotel is one of Nairobi’s best loved landmarks. Famous guests have included Mrs. Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and the list goes on. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s worth dropping by to soak up the heritage ambience. Note the original rickshaws once used to ferry guests to, from, and around the hotel. High tea is served daily with a strong sense of occasion and decorum; a collared shirt is a must, and shorts are not permitted.
This post was published thanks to The Classic Safari Company.
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Do you have any suggestions to add to this list of ten top things to do in Nairobi on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
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